Celebrities cook for a cause

Want to find out what your favorite celebrities are eating? You no longer have to pick up the latest gossip magazine to find out.

“The Celebrity Cookbook” offers 100 recipes, photos, autographs and a few extras from A-list celebrities, past presidents and professional chefs. Inside find Martha Stewart’s famous turkey recipe, Donald Trump’s lasagna named for his personal chef, plus desserts, starters, side dishes and entrees.

All sales proceeds from the book, compiled by Newport Beach resident Lisa Ann, will be donated to the AIDS Fund in Washington D.C.

Ann started chewing on the idea of a celebrity cookbook after years of volunteer work with the AIDS fund and after watching several of her friends succumb to the HIV virus.

“I started doing a lot of walks with the American Foundation for AIDS Research and the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation and then started volunteering,” Ann said.

At the age of 16, Ann went to work for Gloria Loring as a personal assistant, and later helped the “Days of Our Lives” star to raise money for juvenile diabetes.

After eight years with Loring, Ann began freelancing with other soap stars and celebrities. Loring donated her recipe for chicken with 40 cloves of garlic. Assembling a book with 100 recipes, photographs and signatures turned into an unexpected load, Ann said.

“It was a lot of work because the book is in full color,” she said. “I spent close to five years doing the research, waiting for celebrities to respond and editing the recipes.”

A large portion of help came from chef Mark Ellman, owner of Maui Tacos restaurant, on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

“He really stayed full course with me, and he has several recipes in the book,” Ann said. “He was really interested in what other chefs were going to donate.”

Donald Lockhart, a chef at the Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel, also donated a recipe for the cause.

“I was contacted by the writer, she explained the cause, and I was excited to have the opportunity,” Lockhart said. “I gave out about three recipes to different books that year. It doesn’t cost anything giving of your wealth.”

The book leans toward the humorous, for instance comic Paula Poundstone reveals to readers the secret ingredients for her airport breakfasts -- a hot dog and diet soda. Readers can also find a few extras from George Burns, Dudley Moore and Stephen King.

For those who need to see before they commit to buying go online and check out sample recipes from weatherman Dallas Raines, actress Tina Louise and Ellman.

The book is now available through the website, www.celeb2006.com. dpt.19-cookbook-1-CPhotoInfo6F1S45F620060619j12supnc(LA)Lisa Ann with a copy of her book, ‘Celebrity Cookbook, Recipes for a Cure,’ with proceeds benefiting AIDS prevention and care.